A main building sits in the middle of the Anaheim RV Village park. SARAH TULLY, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Graphics

ANAHEIM – Disney plans to build a new parking lot on the site of an RV park near its theme parks – an expansion needed because of record attendance since last year’s makeover of Disney California Adventure.

The company is buying the Anaheim RV Village and adjacent lots at Harbor Boulevard and Ball Road, said Suzi Brown, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman. She declined to release the price.

Crews would build 1,400 parking spaces for employees on the almost-11-acre plot.

The current owner, NW Investment Co., could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon. Commercial real estate agents from CBRE, which has a for-sale sign up at the lot, also could not be reached.

The plot holds 293 trailer and camping spots aimed at Disney tourists, as well as an auto-repair facility, according to documents.

The new parking lot would replace spots in an employee lot off of Katella Avenue, which would be converted into visitor parking and be adjacent to the Toy Story lot.

Brown said the addition is needed because of the increase in attendance since the June 2012 unveiling of Disney California Adventure’s expansion that included immediately popular Cars Land. California Adventure had a 23 percent jump in attendance last year, up to 7.8 million, according to an industry report. Next door, Disneyland attracted 16 million.

Because of the crowds, Disney has had to occasionally bus in employees from far-away lots, including Angel Stadium’s. The theme parks also have agreements to use spillover spaces at the Anaheim Convention Center and the Anaheim GardenWalk mall – both of which have expansion plans and may need more of their own parking in the future.

The Disney project must be approved by planning officials. The city of Anaheim received paperwork from Disney, said Ruth Ruiz, a city spokeswoman.

Several years ago, a developer had bought the lot for $10 million and planned to build restaurants and a store on the land, but he eventually sold the land.

Before that, another developer had proposed putting 449 homes including high-rises and lofts, along with retail outlets, on the plot.

For the last several years, a for-sale or lease sign has been up on the property.

Related Links

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.